There have been some controversy about the culling of Canadian geese at GNRA.
JFK airport (previously known as Idlewild) is located on Jamaica Bay and was built over former saltmarsh. The salt marshes were filled in to make room for this very important transportation hub.
The location of this transportation hub unfortunately coincides with preferred habitat for Canada geese. Canada geese are abundant in this area and their abundance often interrupts or causes danger to airplanes. Because of this, it was determined that it would be okay to cull the population of Canadian geese. This means that a certain number of these birds are rounded up and killed to decrease their numbers and create a more safe flight path.
The Facebook page for JBWR addressed this this issue. Many people commented and felt very strongly.
~ Some people felt that the geese were there first and that the planes interrupt in ancient migratory flight path and therefore the geese should not be killed.
~ Other people felt that human safety is of utmost importance.
1. What do you think about this issue?
a) What if you found out that the population of Canadian geese was too high? Would that change your opinion?
b) What if you found out the population of Canada geese was too low that is they were endangered? Would that change your opinion?
2. How do you think government agencies balance the needs of wildlife versus the needs of humans? What are some factors they have to take into consideration ?
JFK airport (previously known as Idlewild) is located on Jamaica Bay and was built over former saltmarsh. The salt marshes were filled in to make room for this very important transportation hub.
The location of this transportation hub unfortunately coincides with preferred habitat for Canada geese. Canada geese are abundant in this area and their abundance often interrupts or causes danger to airplanes. Because of this, it was determined that it would be okay to cull the population of Canadian geese. This means that a certain number of these birds are rounded up and killed to decrease their numbers and create a more safe flight path.
The Facebook page for JBWR addressed this this issue. Many people commented and felt very strongly.
~ Some people felt that the geese were there first and that the planes interrupt in ancient migratory flight path and therefore the geese should not be killed.
~ Other people felt that human safety is of utmost importance.
1. What do you think about this issue?
a) What if you found out that the population of Canadian geese was too high? Would that change your opinion?
b) What if you found out the population of Canada geese was too low that is they were endangered? Would that change your opinion?
2. How do you think government agencies balance the needs of wildlife versus the needs of humans? What are some factors they have to take into consideration ?